Making Up

The U.S. and Iraq renew ties

To Iraq, the U.S. was the worst of imperialists, a country run by Zionists and hypocrites. To Washington, Iraq was an international menace, second only to Libya as a haven for terrorists. Yet despite the two governments' name-calling and mutual suspicion throughout the 1970s, a tentative courtship between the Reagan Administration and the regime of Saddam Hussein has been quietly blossoming in recent years. Now the two countries are about to resume diplomatic relations, broken off by Iraq during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

According to Administration sources, the resumption of ties will be effected next week, when Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz meets in Washington with President Reagan. Washington officials believe Iraq's four-year war with Iran has been the incentive for Baghdad to move closer to the U.S. Says one U.S. diplomat: "They have now made it clear they can defend themselves by themselves, so this would be the proper moment to go ahead and reestablish ties with us."

Washington will maintain its public position of neutrality in the Iraq-Iran conflict; it has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since ties were broken in 1980 during the hostage crisis. At best, recognition of Iraq will create a de facto axis linking Washington, Baghdad and Moscow, which is Iraq's ally, that could help bring Iran to the bargaining table.

Saddam Hussein, to strengthen his hand further against Iran, has taken delivery from France since midsummer of 28 new Mirage Fl fighter-bombers. The planes, with a range of more than 600 miles, are equipped to fire French-made Exocet missiles. In September, France airlifted 150 of the missiles to Iraq's Habbaniya air force base. When pilots for the fighters have been trained, Iraq is expected to step up its attacks on ships departing from Iran's main oil terminal at Kharg Island. Baghdad's oft-stated goal is to cut off Iran's oil exports, which has hitherto been impossible to achieve with its meager fleet of three Super Etendard fighters.

There are signs, however, that Iraq is suffering from internal divisions. According to rumors in Baghdad, last August the government uncovered a military plot to end the war by killing Saddam Hussein in a bomb attack. There are indications that mass executions followed.

Iran, whose major condition for peace has been Saddam Hussein's ouster, is also feeling the pinch of the stagnant conflict. In an effort to placate the populace, which is becoming increasingly unhappy with stringent wartime economic conditions, the Supreme Judicial Council two weeks ago designated special courts to try corrupt government officials and businessmen. Seventeen offenders are already on trial, with scores more expected to follow.